Nanobiotechnology: will it deliver?

The convergence of technology with biology at the nano level is called nanobiotechnology. Nanobiotechnology has immense implications for medicine. It works well in laboratory conditions. However, the challenge is to convert its application in laboratories to combat diseases. Transition of the therapeutic concept from "mouse to man" is not easy. This means that before pharmaceutical companies take nanobiotechnology on board, a proof-of-principle into approved therapies is essential.

Nanotechnology is actually much older than nanobiotechnology. Nanotechnology exploits the unique behavior and properties of materials on the nanometer scale. According to a recent article published in The Nanotech Report 2004 (Lux Research), global nanotechnology investment was estimated to be around $8.6 billion. However, the question that is being asked is whether it is a worthwhile investment or not?

Nanotechnology has still a long way to go. Frost & Sullivan believes that except for some stain resistant fabrics that are being developed, one is not likely to see nanotechnology based products for years. It is likely to take more than a decade for any "nano" company to be in line with current "micro" companies such as IBM, Intel or Microsoft.

The main reason for such a big hype over nanobiotechnology is the benefits it can bring to medical advancement, at least in theory. When one talks about nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine, one means enhanced drug solubility--the ability of particles to cross biological lipid membranes to enter cells and cross the blood brain barrier. However, this comes at a price as the quantum dots in the nanoparticles pose potential health risks for humans. For example, it has been reported that water-soluble fullerene molecules (nanomaterials) can cause brain damage in largemouth bass. Similarly, dendrimers (another nanomaterial) have been shown to cause osmotic damage, activate the clotting and complement systems and rip off membranes. Moreover, nano particles composed of metals such as selenium, lead and cadmium can be toxic to organisms if these metals manage to leak out of the particles. In addition, one school of thought believes that nanoscale materials neither act like particles nor like chemicals. The properties they possess could be anywhere in between (intermediate) or they could be totally unique.

Assuming these hurdles are sorted out, what will the offerings of nanobiotechnology then be? Frost & Sullivan has identified four key areas where it could play an important role.

... in Therapeutics

A number of nanobiotechnology companies have emerged recently, that are looking at therapeutic benefits of nanomaterials. One such company, C Sixty Inc. (Houston), is looking into fullerenes (nanomaterial comprising 60 carbon atoms) and, in particular, their antioxidant properties. C Sixty is modifying the structure of fullerenes to develop a new generation of antioxidants. It hopes that the property of modified fullerenes will assist in combating neurodegenerative diseases, as these diseases generally stem from oxidative injuries. Nanomaterials have also been investigated into treating cancer. Houston based Nanospectra Biosciences and Chelmsford, MA-based Triton Biosciences are developing therapies based on "cooking tumors" principles. The idea is to use, for example, antibody-coated iron nanoparticles. Once the antibody attaches to the specific antigen in the tumor, a magnetic field is applied and this causes particles to heat up and literally cook the tumors from inside out. Triton Biosciences, which is using this method to destroy cancer, hopes to take this application to clinics in 2006.

... in Drug Delivery

An appropriate drug delivery technology is expected to try and enhance solubility, develop approaches to encapsulate drugs to minimize side effects and increase bioavailability. Big pharmaceutical companies, especially those facing major drug patent expiries, are looking into drug delivery using nanotechnology. For example, Elan Pharmaceuticals' NanoCrystal technology division is looking at ways to improve drug solubility and has successfully applied this technology to Merck's Emend drug and Wyeth's Rapamune. In terms of drug encapsulation, Flamel Technologies is at the forefront, and has already developed effective encapsulation using its polyamine acid nanoparticles-based "Medusa" platform.

... in Tissue Reconstruction

Nanofibres are being used in the area of tissue reconstruction. Once injected as a liquid, the fibres solidify and assemble as an ordered structure. This tissue then forms structural scaffolds that present ordered biological signals to cells. For instance, the assembled tissue could induce selective differentiation or neural progenitors into neurons. Nanobiotechnology has also been studied from the point of view of islet trans plantation and bone regrowth.

... in Imaging and Diagnostics

Nanobiotechnology is being developed to be used in standard testing in hospital laboratoties. Moreover, several researchers across the globe are looking into developing live animal imaging using nanoparticles, called "quantum dots." Despite the in vivo approaches, these quantum dots are certain to find their greatest use in tissue specimens and cultured cells.

Although the benefits of nanobiotechnology are huge, there are certainly many hurdles ahead. Nanobiotechnology presents unique opportunities and challenges on the intellectual property front as well. Faced with many disappointments in the past, the main question still remains--will nanobiotechnology deliver the promises of biotechnology?

Raju Adhikari is a pharmaceutical-biotechnology analyst in the healthcare practice of Frost & Sullivan, a San Antonio, TX-based growth, market and research consulting and training firm.

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